"[A] very gifted trombonist, who can play in many different styles." L.A. Jazz Scene.

"Les Benedict…has taught me most of what I know about playing the trombone." Conrad Herwig in the preface to "Fond Memories of Frank Rosolino."

Les with Buddy Collette at Buddy's 75th Birthday Celebration at Catalina's Bar and Grill in Hollywood.

RECORDINGS

Trombone: Elvis Presley, Joe Zawinul (multiple instruments, Grammy nominated), Clare Fischer, Julio Iglesias, Bette Mider & Cy Coleman (both with the Brad Dechter Octet), Pedro Fernandez (Latin Grammy nominated), Andy Griffith, Charlie Daniels, Lorne Greene, Toni Tennille, Ray Anthony, Trummy Young, Matt Catingub, Roger Neuman.

Euphonium: Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band.

Alto valve trombone: California Gold Rush Band.

Tuba & bass trombone: Doug MacDonald Nonet and 13 Piece Band.

Tuba: Clare Fischer

Contra-bass bugle: Prince.

Eb cornet, alto flugelhorn, Eb helicon tuba: Clare Fischer's Jazz Corps.

Lead trombone on Gerald Wilson's recording of the commissioned "Suite For Monterey" commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Monterey Jazz Festival (nominated for two Grammys), and on Buddy Collette's performance for the Library of Congress (Grammy nominated).

MOTION PICTURES

Trombone: "Space Jam," "City Slickers II," "White Fang II," "Rocky III" and "Rocky IV," "Robin Hood--Men in Tights," "Remember The Titans."

Tenor and bass trombones: "North" and "Dick".

Eb Alto Horn: "Glory" (Grammy Award-winning soundtrack) and "The Hunt for Red October".

Trombone and euphonium: "A Soldier's Story."

Euphonium: "Drumline."

Trombones and tuba: "A Nightmare on Elm Street Part V."

TELEVISION

Elvis Presley "Aloha From Hawaii" (first live worldwide TV broadcast); "Dallas;" "Trapper John, MD;" "The Master." Specials with Tony Bennett, Carol Burnette and Dolly Parton, Debby Boone, Ellen, Pearl, and Nova episodes. Ken Burns' "Thomas Jefferson" soundtrack with the California Gold Rush Band. Various commercials, including Polaroid, Cobra Golf Clubs, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, etc. "The West Wing" Christmas 2000 episode.

LIVE PERFORMANCES in 48 states (somehow missed Alaska and Oregon!), Japan, Europe, Canada, Mexico and Jamaica (Ocho Rios Jazz Festival) with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Sammy Davis, Jr., Julio Iglesias, Liza Minnelli, Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis, Peter Nero, The O'Jays, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Ken Peplowski, Will Rogers Follies, The Honolulu Symphony, Buddy Collette Big Band (including a special performance in Washington, D.C. for The Library of Congress, broadcast on public radio), Gerald Wilson Big Band (including special performance at the Vienna Konzerthaus and the Monterey Jazz Festival), Bill Holman Big Band, Mike Barone Big Band, Buddy Childers Big Band, Sisterhood/ Brotherhood All Star Jazz Band (Buddy Collette, Leader), Louis Bellson Big Band, Akioshi-Tabackin Big Band (including Boston Globe Jazz Festival and Chicago Jazz Showcase), Jack Sheldon Big Band (including Santa Barbara Jazz Festival), Ray Anthony Big Band (including President Ronald Reagan's first Inaugural Ball), Bob Crosby, Les Brown, Clare Fischer, Dave Pell, Mike Barone Big Band, Steve Huffsteter Big Band, Mr. Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band. Special citation from President Richard M. Nixon for participation in welcoming the Apollo Astronauts back from the moon.

CLINICIAN/PERFORMER nationally at universities, colleges and high schools for Conn, Yamaha and for U.S. Air Force Bands. Instructor for Buddy Collette's Jazz America. Conducted master classes for UCLA film scoring classes. Featured soloist with The Disneyland Band presenting History of the American Band and History of American Jazz to a half-million California students. Interim teacher for Los Angeles Pierce College Jazz Band, and section coach for award-winning Eagle Rock (California) High School Band. Music theory instructor, Air Force Bands. Trombone instructor, Wheeling Youth Symphony. Students' accomplishments include all-state bands, orchestras and jazz bands, university scholarships and fellowships, military bands, Broadway shows, Monterey Jazz Festival High School All Stars, and commercial and jazz bands and recordings.

FOUNDER AND CO-LEADER: California Gold Rush Band, depicting California brass bands 1848-1890. Camilla Rockwell, producer of Ken Burns' Thomas Jefferson, wrote: "The California Gold Rush Band's renditions…for our Thomas Jefferson film are absolutely wonderful…Your music brings just the right sound to the sections of the film we had been struggling over." Live performances at The Great American Brass Band Festival (Kentucky), The Shrine to Music Museum (South Dakota), Custer's Last Stand reenactment (Montana), The Autry Museum of Western Heritage (California), Illinois State University, University of California Irvine, Cal State Fullerton. Special educational school performances sponsored by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

MASTER OF MUSIC, University of Hawaii, Trombone Performance.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, Tennessee Tech, Music Education. Private Study with John Marcellus (National Symphony), Richard Roblee (Honolulu Symphony), Larry Hoepfinger (Nashville Symphony).